”Of their goods, take zakat, so that you might purify and sanctify them.”

What is Zakat?

An obligatory annual payment, Zakat is paid by qualifying adult Muslims whose wealth exceeds the Nisab value for one Islamic (lunar) year. This donation pleases Allah (SWT). Payments are made to support those most in need both domestically and around the world.

Who is Eligible for Zakat?

The Holy Qur’an determined who is eligible to receive Zakat, stating:

“As-Sadaqat (Zakat) are only for the Fuqara’ (poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (Zakat funds); and for to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujahidun – those fighting in the holy wars), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

– Chapter at-Tawbah Tevbe, 60

This means that Zakat donations cannot be given to just anyone. A husband cannot give his Zakat to his wife as he is already responsible for her, just as he is his children. A wife, though, is permitted to give Zakat to her husband, so long as he meets the relevant criteria – she must not benefit in any way from this donation (i.e. the husband using the funds to pay for a gift for his wife).

Those eligible to receive Zakat can be placed into one of eight categories, which are:

• Fakir – those with little to no income or wealth
• Miskin – those who are without food
• Amil – anyone designated to collect and distribute Zakat
• Riqab – anyone held involuntarily against their will in captivity or as a slave
• Gharmin – those struggling with unmanageable debt
• Fisabillillah – those who fight for Allah (SWT)
• Ibnus Sabil – struggling and/or stranded travellers
• Muallaf – friends of the Islamic community and/or revert Muslims

Not every Muslim is obligated to pay Zakat as per the rules set out in the holy Qur’an. To be eligible to pay Zakat, you must be past the age of puberty, of Muslim faith, sound mind, free and have a positive cash/goods flow, as well as a personal wealth which exceeds the Nisab value.

Muslim Aid will ensure that your Zakat is distributed to those most in need – see the difference that your Zakat have, and continue to make, to those eligible to receive the donation.

What is Nisab?
Nisab is the threshold for which a Muslim’s personal wealth must be above if he or she is to be eligible to pay Zakat. There are two Nisab values from which the threshold is determined, which are:

• Gold – the monetary value of 87.48 grams of gold
• Silver – the monetary value of 612.36 grams of silver

Because the valuation of gold and silver fluctuates so, too, does the Nisab threshold. This is why tools such as our Zakat calculator prove so helpful as they help Muslims to quantify not only whether they qualify to pay Zakat, but how much it is they owe. A Muslim’s wealth must exceed the Nisab threshold for one full Islamic year, or ‘Hawl’, which is the term for a lunar year, which lasts for 354 days.

If your personal wealth dropped below the Nisab threshold at any point during the Islamic year but was above it both and the beginning and end of the Hawl, you should speal to your local imam for advice.

When Should I Pay Zakat?
You should pay your Zakat when your wealth has exceeded the Nisab threshold for one full Islamic year from the point your wealth first exceeded the threshold. The amount of Zakat you owe should be calculated on the day you make your payment. This means that regardless of by how much your wealth was above the Nisab threshold during the year, it is how your wealth stands at that moment from which your Zakat is calculated.

The holy month of Ramadan is the most popular time of year for Muslims to pay their Zakat as it is believed that donating during this time yields multiplied rewards and blessings. You can, though, pay Zakat any time during the year if your wealth has exceeded the Nisab threshold for a lunar year. This should also not be confused with Zakat al Fitr, or Fitrana, which must be paid during the month of Ramadan before the Eid prayers.

How Much Zakat Do I Need to Pay?
The Zakat that you owe is calculated on:

2.5% of personal wealth and annual savings
5% of a farmer’s assets where the farmer has funded the irrigation of crops
10% of a farmer’s assets where the farmer’s crops have been irrigated by rain
20% of valuables and resources on the property, such as gold, silver, and oil

What Should I Include in my Zakat Calculation?
Your owed Zakat is calculated on your wealth, including personal assets and cash. Zakat is only payable on a property that does not contribute to your day-to-day living – i.e. a second home which you do not live in should be included in your calculations while your first home, the one in which you do live, should not be included. This is also true for vehicles, with your second car eligible to be included in your Zakat calculations as it is considered to be a luxury, while your first care is considered a necessity and is not to be included.

The assets that are eligible to be considered for Zakat are:

Cash at home, in a bank or savings accounts
Funds saved for a special occasion or reason (such as hajj, a deposit on a property or a wedding etc…)
The value of any gold and silver in your possession
Any stocks and shares that you own
The total value of any income generated from renting out an owned property (such as a second home)
The value of any debt you have acquired that you expect to be returned (such as lending money to a friend/relative)
What not to consider when calculating Zakat:

Any payments due to be paid in the month you pay your Zakat
Money that you owe such as mortgage/rent payments, card debts and personal loans
Items such as household appliances and clothing
Business expenditures including bills, salaries, rents and rates
Business loans and overdrafts
Can I Pay My Zakat in Instalments?
You are permitted to pay your Zakat in instalments, although it is preferred as a single lump sum. Those assured that their wealth will remain the same can pay in advance of the due date.

What is Zakat-ul-Fitr (Fitrana)?
Zakat al Fitr, or Fitrana, is a different payment to Zakat that can only be made during the holy month of Ramadan, before the start of Eid. Fitrana is traditionally given as food, but Muslim Aid will accept monetary donations, valued at £5 per person in the United Kingdom, which will pay for food to be given to those most in need.

Calculating Your Zakat
If you would like to easily calculate the amount of Zakat charity you need to pay, please click here.

How to Donate Your Zakat
Once you have calculated your Zakat, or you already know what your owed amount is, you can choose to make your donation through Al Markazul Islami (AMIBD.ORG). Doing so will support our appeals, helping thousands of innocent lives living in poverty around the world.